Five of the World’s Most Unusual Hotels

Make your vacation a little more interesting by staying in one of these five unusual and unique hotels. We bet you've never stayed in any hotel like these! 

La Balade des Gnomes
Relive your childhood by staying in a fairy tale-inspired hotel in Durbuy, Belgium. La Balade des Gnomes features ten rooms, each inspired by myths and fairy tales. Each room is a completely unique and different experience. Bunk with a troll in a cave-like room, or sleep in a Trojan Horse. In the morning, enjoy a delicious breakfast full of local specialties. 

Treehotel
Looking to connect with the great outdoors? Stay at the Treehotel in Harads, Sweden, in one of the five tree houses built in the middle of nature. You'll sleep among the tree tops and take in the serenity of nature. Each tree house is unique, with names like The Cabin, Bird's Nest, and UFO. 

Propeller Island City Lodge
Located in Berlin, Germany, this hotel has something different in store for every guest. Each of the 30 rooms is unique in its own way. One room may appear normal — if you were standing on your head! Another room features a king bed cut in half by a guillotine. There is even a room that uses coffins as beds.

Hotel de Glace
Do you love the cold? Stay in a hotel made entirely of ice just outside of Quebec City in Canada. Hotel de Glace is only open in the winter, when each room is constructed from ice. Even though the hotel may be cold, you'll still be warm with fireplaces and comfy blankets. You don't have to stay the night to enjoy the hotel, you can stop by the popular ice bar for a drink or even get married in the wedding chapel.

Featherbed Railroad
You don't need to travel outside of the United States to find an unusual hotel. On the shore of Clear Lake in Northern California, you will find this charming bed and breakfast. Each room is made out of an old railroad car. Each antique caboose has a different theme, like the Orient Express and Casablanca. 

Ceramic Lodge: Calling Round Rock Artists

Get creative at the Ceramic Lodge. Located on Chisholm Trail Road near Round Rock Center West, this is the place to go for decorative pottery that you can paint yourself. You don’t need an appointment, just walk in! You’ll like checking out the differed styles of pottery, most costing about $10. Then you can pick out just the right color paint to match your home décor, along with different designs. Then, let your imagination take over! When you finish your creation, the helpful staff not only glazes your piece, but also cleans up your space. It’s no wonder that the Ceramic Lodge has become a popular spot birthday parties. Adults can also book a fun experience for you and your friends. Check the calendar for fun project nights, and almost every Thursday is ladies’ night!

Ceramic Lodge
18 Chisholm Triangle Road
Round Rock, TX 78681
(512) 248-2100
http://www.yelp.com/biz/ceramic-lodge-round-rock

Mom’s Café: Just Like Mom Used to Make

Mom’s Café might be hard to find, but it’s easy to like. Located in a shopping center in-between a bar and storage garages, Mom’s Café brags about its "home cooking” and backs up the claim. It’s not fancy, but if you want a comfortable spot where classic comfort food is the star, Mom’s Café is the place for you! This is a breakfast and lunch spot that is so friendly you’ll probably meet “Mom” when you come in. The ambiance is clean and simple, and the gingham tablecloths are a nice touch. Order a coffee, and the refills keep coming while you enjoy a breakfast and lunch menu that features classic American food (get the flapjacks for breakfast or the popular chicken and dumplings). It might not be home, but its pretty close!

Mom’s Café
1826 N Mays Street, Suite B
Round Rock, TX 78664
(512) 388-6353
http://www.momscaferoundrock.biz/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/moms-cafe-round-rock

Chow Down on Authentic NYC Style Pizza at Pizza Delight

Quality New York style pizza can now be found in Texas at Pizza Delight. Located in the HEB Plus shopping center, Pizza Delight is the place to go for yummy pizza because of the good ingredients. It all starts with the dough, made every day and hand tossed before being topped with house-made sauce, fresh cheese, and whatever ingredients you choose. What comes out of the oven is so New York Style, you’ll think you’ve landed in Brooklyn! Whether you get a whole pie for the gang or just a couple of slices for lunch, you are sure to be satisfied. Folks really like the wings, too. You’ll also like the classic ambiance and friendly service. Can’t stay to eat? Call ahead to pick up or for fast delivery to your home.

Pizza Delight
1700 E Palm Valley, Suite 430
Round Rock, TX 78664
(512) 827-3300
http://www.pizzadelighttx.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/pizza-delight-round-rock

Five Great Movie Directors

A film director is the person with the greatest control over the trajectory of a film. More than any writer, actor, producer, or editor, it is the director's eye develops the film into what it will become when it hits the silver screen. The history of film has realized many talents that elevated film to a true art form. If you love great movies, then familiarize yourself with these cinema greats!

–          Alfred Hitchcock. Hitchcock is the master of mystery and suspense. His talent led him to become one of the most influential men to ever direct movies. So much of today's visual stylings that we now find common place were innovated by Hitchcock in films like Psycho, The Birds, and Rear Window.

–          Orson Welles. Even if the only movie Welles had ever directed was Citizen Kane, he would still be considered one of the most talented and inventive directors of all time. Welles filled his frames with detail and vibrancy, pushing the envelope in a number of ways that ultimately moved cinema into the future.

–          Jean-Luc Godard. A polestar of the French New Wave, Godard was essential in transforming the way we think about cinema. His films opened the door to more unique viewpoints.

–          Stanley Kubrick. His films cover a wide variety of genres, but they are all connected through Kubrick's astute visual style. His movies are among the most aesthetically beautiful ever to grace the silver screen, despite the fact that they delve into the more sinister side of human emotions.

–          Steven Spielberg. Speilberg epitomizes modern cinema more so than any other modern day director. He has helped to usher in the reign of the blockbuster — with films like Jaws and E.T..

Front Porch Frozen Desserts: Self-Serve Frozen Treats in Round Rock

There’s nothing like sitting back and relaxing with a sweet treat — that’s just what you get at Front Porch Frozen Desserts. A family owned and operated frozen yogurt place just off of South Interstate 35 near the Round Rock Gateway, Front Porch is modern-meets-retro sort of place where you can relax and kick back. Come in and check out the decor, with walls paneled with reclaimed wood from the area and tables made from local pine trees. Look along the wall and you’ll find dispensers for different flavors of frozen yogurt and sorbet, procured from a Texas dairy. There are always a nice selection of flavors and fruit and candy toppings. And best of all, you get to make your dessert yourself, paying by the ounce. 

Front Porch Frozen Desserts
3107 S. Interstate Highway 35, Suite 770
Round Rock, TX 78664
(512) 388-6330
http://frontporchrr.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/front-porch-frozen-desserts-round-rock

Rudy’s Country Store and Barbecue: Fuel and a Brisket!

Stop in for authentic flavors at Rudy’s Country Store and Barbecue. With a location on N. Interstate 35 near the Chisholm Parkway, Rudy’s is different because it’s a restaurant, store, and gas station! Come on in and check out the big space and long tables, with red checkered tablecloths. Walk up to the counter and check out some tasty barbecue, all cooked low and slow in an oak smoker. Everything is good, but the moist brisket is always a favorite. Folks also like the jalapeno sausage, a link with a kick! Make your meal even better with the special “sause” on the table. It’s an original recipe! Take some time to get some Rudy’s sauces and rubs to make your own barbecue at home. Rudy’s also ships anywhere and can cater your next event. And after getting full, fill up your tank for the ride home! 

Rudy’s Country Store and Barbecue
2400 N Interstate 35
Round Rock, TX 78681
(512) 244-2936
http://www.rudysbbq.com/page/home
http://www.yelp.com/biz/rudys-country-store-and-bar-b-q-round-rock

The Antique Gallery of Round Rock: Floor to Ceiling Vintage Finds

Everything old is new again at the Antique Gallery of Round Rock. Located on South Interstate 35, there’s a little bit of everything here. Make sure that you give yourself some time to look around; there’s 30,000 square feet of finds! With the eclectic mix of vendors, you will always find something unique and interesting. Furniture hunters will be able to furnish any home with different styles. There are walls filled with artwork and shelves stacked with knick-knacks and glassware. Vintage toy enthusiast can always come upon something cool, and there’s even a section lined with cowboy boots and antique clothes. If you need some help, don’t fret. The helpful staff will be more than happy to look through the files to see if they have what you want. The Antique Gallery is open every day until 6 p.m.

The Antique Gallery of Round Rock
1601 S. Interstate 35, Suite 400
Round Rock, TX 78664
(512) 671-7467
http://www.antiquegalleryroundrock.com/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/antique-gallery-round-rock

Pacific Star Restaurant and Oyster Bar: Bringing the Beach To Round Rock

Pacific Star Restaurant and Oyster Bar brings the beach to Round Rock.  This crab shack specializes in fresh oysters on the half shell and fried seafood favorites.  The fried crab fingers are a unique offering and are a perfect snack for beer drinking and sports watching on the many TVs.  If you’re looking for a simple lunch, try the po'boy sandwich with either catfish, shrimp, or oysters.  A shaded outdoor patio provides a pleasant space to enjoy a quick bite to eat. The crawfish pirogue is a popular entree with sautéed crawfish, mushrooms and onions topped with melted jack cheese.  Regulars appreciate the reasonable prices and casual atmosphere at Pacific Star Restaurant.    

Pacific Star Restaurant and Oyster Bar
351 W. Palm Valley Boulevard
Round Rock, TX 78664
(512) 255-3535
www.pacificstarfood.com
www.yelp.com/biz/pacific-star-restaurant-round-rock

Nopalitos: Authentic Mexican Cuisine in Round Rock

Nopalitos is a Texas cantina that serves authentic Mexican food. Located at the shopping center where North Interstate 35 meets Hesters Crossings Road in Round Rock, Nopalitos is a comfortable spot for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. When you walk inside, the décor will really remind you of an outdoor cantina. There’s even a lamppost! Do yourself a favor when the weather’s nice and make use of the new outdoor patio. Looking for a place to meet up with friends after work? Go to the Tequila Bar at Nopalito’s, where a hand-crafted margarita or a cool beer is only an order away. And the menu has so many traditional items, you’ll have a hard time choosing. But regulars recommend the sizzling queso dip, burritos, and fajitas. All this and friendly service makes Nopalitos a popular Round Rock restaurant.

Nopalitos
2000 S Interstate 35, Suite G1
Round Rock, TX 78681
(512) 218-0990
http://www.nopalitos.net/
http://www.yelp.com/biz/nopalitos-cantina-and-grill-round-rock

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